How to Make an Interesting Art Piece Using Tree Branches

Whether beach-combing, hiking in the forest or walking along a riverbank, dried branches can be easily found in many places. With a little imagination, you can transform those branches into beautiful wall art using a few simple supplies.

(Image: Shades of Blue Interiors)

Things You'll Need

Large scrap of cardboard, approx. 2 1/2 feet long by 2 feet high

Black marker

20 to 25 short tree branches, 1 inch diameter or less, 18 inches long or less

Pliers

Craft paint, 4 different shades of one color

Paintbrush

Nylon thread

Large tree branch, 2 to 3 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 feet long

Tip

Choose branches that are completely dead and have been broken off the tree for a while. You'll know if a branch is dead if it snaps when you try to bend it. Green or living branches tend to bend first and have several sinewy slivers at the breaking point. Smooth branches work best for this project, so avoid branches that have rough-textured bark that would be hard to remove.

Step 1: Clean the Branches

Scrub branches with warm water to remove mud, dirt and loose bark. Let them dry completely before using.

Step 2: Draw the Template

On a large piece of cardboard, use a pencil to sketch out a large heart (or another shape of your choice). Then with a permanent marker, draw over the sketch for an easily visible template of the wall hanging.

(Image: Shades of Blue Interiors)

Step 3: Lay Branches Over the Template

Starting with the thickest branch in the middle, lay branches vertically as they correspond to the height allowance.

(Image: Rachel Pereira)

If some branches are not the exact height needed, lay the branch in the location desired, mark where the break needs to be, then use pliers to break the branch at that exact location. Pliers are used instead of a saw to preserve the organic look of the broken branches.

(Image: Rachel Pereira)

Step 4: Paint the Branches With an Ombre Effect

Mark where you want the lightest paint color to end on the heart -- about halfway up the middle branches -- keeping the horizontal line somewhat even all the way across. Start painting with the darkest color on the bottom two inches of the middle branches, and make sure to paint all the way around the branches. Diminish the height of the painted end as you work your way out toward each side of the heart.

Paint the second darkest color a couple of inches above the darkest color. Lightly overlap the two colors so that they blend together. Repeat this process for the second lightest color and the lightest color.

(Image: Shades of Blue Interiors) (Image: Rachel Pereira)

Step 5: Tie the Branches to a Hanging Branch

Position the large hanging branch horizontally above the heart branches on the template. Wrap nylon thread around the large horizontal branch, tie a knot and run a taut line to the outermost vertical branch on the heart. Firmly place your finger right where the thread will need to be wrapped around the vertical branch. Without removing your finger, lift the branch off the template and wrap the thread around the branch several times, so that it slightly overlaps both sides of the mark that your finger is securing. Once you have wrapped the thread around the branch about 10 times, tie a knot to the vertical taut line. Trim any excess thread.

Repeat this process for all of the branches, making sure the large horizontal branch is level to the heart and the vertical branches stay in their locations within the template every time you tie a knot.

(Image: Rachel Pereira)

Step 6: Adjust the String Spacing

In order to get an accurate location for each branch, hang the large horizontal branch on the wall, using two nails spaced about one-foot apart. Gently slide any strings over so they hang close together. They shouldn't be touching too much, but don't place them too far apart.

(Image: Shades of Blue Interiors)

Tip

Using nylon thread ensures that the thread will not break when making adjustments to the branches.

(Image: Shades of Blue Interiors)

The finished result adds a textural and colorful feature to your walls that can be used seasonally or year-round. With different paint colors (or no paint at all), this tree branch art piece can work in a variety of rooms and design aesthetics.